Does This Sound Like A Roo?

[AmyJane725]

I have a little cochin bantam (12 days old). I know it's way too early to determine if it's a boy or a girl just by looks, but can behavior be reliable?

When I reach into the box to pick them up, most of them will either run to a wall or just keep eating, but this one will jump up and peck my hand. Like, it jumps into the air, wings up and tries to "spur" me and pecks. If it had spurs I'm sure I'd be poked.

Would a hen ever do this, or is this a cocky little roo?

 

[Cyprus]

Probably a roo @CarpCharacin Might have some input.

 

[sourland]

I have had pullet chicks do that just as frequently as cockerels. It does not indicate gender.

 

[CarpCharacin]

Yeah, I wouldn't say it's definitive, but I think that the use of behavioral traits to identify gender is something that may be worth exploring further.

 

[AmyJane725]

Hm, ok, I guess we'll see what ends up happening. Is it 8 weeks when I should be able to tell by appearance? How old are roos at first crow (usually)?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In bantam cochins you should be able to tell by 5 weeks as the boys will get a pink than red comb fairly early. They often feather out slower too. Sometimes they are mostly naked for a few weeks. The behavior you describe would make me think it's a boy, so keep an eye out for that comb or not.

 

[AmyJane725]

In bantam cochins you should be able to tell by 5 weeks as the boys will get a pink than red comb fairly early. They often feather out slower too. Sometimes they are mostly naked for a few weeks. The behavior you describe would make me think it's a boy, so keep an eye out for that comb or not.

Ok. I'll keep a close eye on them.
Interesting that the boys feather more slowly.